Feb. 7 is Jersey Day in Pincher Creek — an opportunity for hockey fans to demonstrate their love of the game and vie for Kraft Hockeyville honours and prizes.

Hockeyville is a nationwide competition that has been held annually since 2006. Participants across the country share stories about their hockey-crazy communities and the events that make them unique.

The grand prize is $250,000 in arena upgrades and the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game. Three other communities will each win $25,000 in upgrades.

Coun. Wayne Elliott is a hockey enthusiast and leader of the community’s participation in Hockeyville. He says Pincher Creek could use a few arena improvements, but that it’s less about winning and more about community pride.

Wayne says the positive feeling created by people getting together to celebrate their love of the game is “by far the greatest outcome” of Pincher Creek’s participation in Hockeyville. Community spirit and counting our town’s blessings will be the name of the game this Jersey Day.

Our neighbours in Fernie, B.C., experienced a tragedy at their arena in October when an ammonia leak claimed the lives of three maintenance staff. Wayne believes Fernie should be a major contender for the grand prize, and we will wish them all the best, from one community to another.

In Pincher Creek, schools, clubs and individuals will don their jerseys at noon and get together for a walk along the creek trail, then share their photos under the hashtag #PincherCreekLovesHockey. After the walk there will be hot chocolate and cookies served at the swimming pool.

Residents can participate further by sharing pictures and personal stories about how hockey in the community has shaped their lives and given them awesome experiences, or by simply sharing why this community is the most wild for hockey, by visiting www.krafthockeyville.ca/#find_rink.